SAN JOSESometimes it takes the perfect song lyrics to express what youre really feeling.
Brent Burns, who is preparing to face his former club on Thursday for the first time since getting traded to the Sharks in the offseason, thinks he found it in Ill Pray for You by Jaron and the Long Road to Love.
He likened his emotions towards the Minnesota Wild with those ofwell, well just have to let him explain.
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Its like an ex-girlfriend, said Burns. You dont really want her to get the ole' white picket fence and a great job after, he said. Its like that good country song, youre praying for herto get hit by a car (laughs).
Youll have to download the rest to get the full effect of the song, which Burns admitted he recently heard on the radio.
Now, Burns was just joking around, of course. He has fond memories of playing for the Wild and keeps in touch with several former teammates and friends in Minnesota. He was drafted in the first round in 2003 by the organization, and spent the first eight years of his career there.
That doesnt mean he wants to see them near the top of the standings, though, which is where the Wild sit after extending their winning streak to five games with a 3-0 win in Calgary on Tuesday.
San Jose Sharks
They have a little bit more wins than I would like, he said.
I like the city and the people I met there, but I dont know if you have a special place in your heart for the team anymore. Obviously, it was a huge part of my life and I loved being there, and at the time I wanted to be there for the rest of my career.
Its not just Burns who will be facing some old mates. Marty Havlat was also traded to the Sharks from the Wild, while Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley will make their respective returns to the Tank since the flurry of offseason activity between the two clubs.
While its a new situation for Burns, it's somewhat old hat to Havlat, who has played for four teams in his 11-year NHL career.
Its always a little different when youre playing the team you used to play for and you know all the people there, said Havlat, who named Minnesotas Marek Zidlicky as one of his closest friends. Well see how it goes.
Weve started well, and theyve started well, too. Everybodys happy so far.
As for the head coach, Todd McLellan isnt surprised that the Sharks and Wild have both seemed to benefit from the offseason trades.
Thats how trades should work out. The days of fleecing some of these general managers doesnt exist. They are bright, they do their homework and have really good staffs. The business part of it keeps it very honest.
He wishes nothing by the best to his former players on the Wild, which also includes winger Brad Staubitz.
Were well aware of the fact that Stauby and Heater and Seto are there, he said. Were following them, and we want them to do well. Its not a selfish thing, they were Sharks for a long, long time and they gave us everything they had. When theyre successful were very happy for them.
Now, that doesnt mean when they come into our building that we dont want to beat them, but theyre great people and we want them to succeed.